Shell Dweller Breeding?
- Thread starter Starbury03
- Start date
Most cichlids dig, it gives them something to do.
But this very well could be "breeding pits". A lot of cichlids dig a few of these holes and move fry into them when they become free-swimming. They dig a few different holes so that they can move the fry around so "predetors" won't know which hole. (if there are predetors)
But this very well could be "breeding pits". A lot of cichlids dig a few of these holes and move fry into them when they become free-swimming. They dig a few different holes so that they can move the fry around so "predetors" won't know which hole. (if there are predetors)
"Most cichlids dig, it gives them something to do." Yeah, like most of us go to work?
First and foremost, the multies are digging to find security, then they'll seek to establish a home to raise fry in. From what you say they have not taken up residency in the barnacles so they'll simply dig a pit to lie low in. Are the leleupi dominating the tank at the moment, are the barnacles in the leleupi's territory? Can you rearrange to keep the multies and leleupi apart, maybe rockwork at just one end and open substrate elsewhere?
Once they have a shell or shells (they like a choice) of their own, they'll dig around it until it reaches the bottom on the tank. They'll pile up the sand to construct ramparts around the shell/ or shells to mark the borders of their territory then the dominant male will defend it from all comers as best he can.
Multies will form a pair or a dominant male may have a harem of females.
First and foremost, the multies are digging to find security, then they'll seek to establish a home to raise fry in. From what you say they have not taken up residency in the barnacles so they'll simply dig a pit to lie low in. Are the leleupi dominating the tank at the moment, are the barnacles in the leleupi's territory? Can you rearrange to keep the multies and leleupi apart, maybe rockwork at just one end and open substrate elsewhere?
Once they have a shell or shells (they like a choice) of their own, they'll dig around it until it reaches the bottom on the tank. They'll pile up the sand to construct ramparts around the shell/ or shells to mark the borders of their territory then the dominant male will defend it from all comers as best he can.
Multies will form a pair or a dominant male may have a harem of females.
Star let me know when you have some fry you are willing to part with. Im looking for some multis around here and they are like 30.00 each.
And from what I hear you cant have to many shells. I say a shelly tank with a 3 inch bed of shells. 10gallon. I think thats a little much. But 3 or shells each would work.
Oh and those snails that you eat. I forget the names.. But those are the shells that they have in the wild. or close to it. Not shure where you would get them. specialty store most likely.
Lev
And from what I hear you cant have to many shells. I say a shelly tank with a 3 inch bed of shells. 10gallon. I think thats a little much. But 3 or shells each would work.
Oh and those snails that you eat. I forget the names.. But those are the shells that they have in the wild. or close to it. Not shure where you would get them. specialty store most likely.
Lev
The leleupi are dominating the tank and the barnacles are in their territory. The multies territory is on the right side of my tank and the leleupi territory is the canter to right side. I would post a pic but I don't know how so if I could get info on how to post a pic I will show you what they are doing.
Look in craft stores for marine shells, they'll do just as well, also l'escargot shells from restaurants or deli's.....it's very hard to get your hands on the authentic neothauma snail shells.
You have to sort out the territories Starbury, try to keep the leleupi at one end and break their line of sight using the rockwork - the multies will need 6-8" square at the other end. You must try to prevent the leleupi being overly boisterous or your multies will stress out and die.
You have to sort out the territories Starbury, try to keep the leleupi at one end and break their line of sight using the rockwork - the multies will need 6-8" square at the other end. You must try to prevent the leleupi being overly boisterous or your multies will stress out and die.
Can you move the barnacles to where the multies are?
Do you know the sex of the multies? Males are generally bigger, females turn a rusty brown when ready to start breeding.
Sounds like you've got a pair of leleupi forming - get ready to remove the outcast.
Your catfish by the way is probably a synodontis petricola - great choice! We ought to have a sweep on how long the snail lasts!! ;-)
Do you know the sex of the multies? Males are generally bigger, females turn a rusty brown when ready to start breeding.
Sounds like you've got a pair of leleupi forming - get ready to remove the outcast.
Your catfish by the way is probably a synodontis petricola - great choice! We ought to have a sweep on how long the snail lasts!! ;-)